If you are interested in being a TechGirl, our Summer 2023 application period is Monday, October 17 at 8:00 AM EDT to Friday, December 16 at 12:00 PM EST.
Empowering U.S. girls to be Global STEM Leaders
2023 Program Details
TechGirls brings together 15 competitively-selected American young women (ages 15-17) with 111 peers from 35 countries/territories around the world for a 25-day international exchange program focused on the in-depth exploration of applied technology and STEM topics. The exchange will include an interactive technology camp at Virginia Tech University, site visits to technology companies, discussions on STEM education and careers, career readiness workshops, community service opportunities, leadership training, job shadow opportunities, cross-cultural dialogues, recreational activities, and homestays. American and foreign TechGirls participants will be required to implement follow-on service projects in their home communities that they designed during their U.S.-based exchange. Activity sites include Washington, D.C., host cities across the country (Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, or Seattle), and the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.
The scholarship is fully inclusive of travel, courses, programming, housing and meals, staff supervision and ground transport for sightseeing.
U.S. youth STEM leaders, this is your chance to collaborate with likeminded peers from across the globe and gain tech skills that will inspire you to pursue your dreams.
Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 15 to 17 at the start of the program with at least one year left of high school in the fall 2023. Applicants must also show sincere interest in technology and making friends from around the world. Youth that have participated in other U.S. Department of State exchanges solely virtually are eligible to apply for TechGirls.
Back at Home (August-January)
Community action plans: During the program, each TechGirl develops an action plan for a community-based project to transfer skills and knowledge back home. Projects have included – starting a Tech Club at school, offering training to classmates, helping local business by designing a website, creating an on-line dialogue forum with friends, blogging, and organizing tech career fairs at their school. TechGirls also share their TechGirls experience with their local community upon return from the program.
About the Program
TechGirls is an initiative of the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, implemented by Legacy International in partnership with Virginia Tech University. The program is designed to empower young girls from around the world to pursue higher education and, ultimately, careers in STEM fields. A highlight of the program is to collaborate and build lasting friendships with like-minded peers from all over the world who share common interests. The international participants are from:
- Sub-Saharan Africa (AF) – Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South and Africa
- East Asia and Pacific (EAP) – Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and Vietnam
- Europe and Eurasia (EUR) – Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Turkey
- Middle East and North Africa (NEA) – Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia
- South and Central Asia (SCA) – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan
- Western Hemisphere (WHA) – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Suriname
“I had a great time at TechGirls. I learned so much from the other girls and the professors that I will use in my life.” – Naomi, Massachusetts
“Through the TechGirls experience, I was able to expand my knowledge of fields like cybersecurity and Java game development. Outside, TechGirls opened my eyes to STEM education in other countries.” – Kavi, California
COVID-19 Contingencies
Legacy International is working closely with the U.S. Department of State, local and global health professionals to plan a program that adheres to the best public health practices. As the global health situation stabilizes, we hope to conduct the program in person in summer 2023. We remain open to providing a high quality virtual exchange if necessary. U.S. applicants will join the TechGirls for the entirety of the program.
